MRAA Asks President to Support EPA Decision to Waive 2014 RFS for Ethanol

MRAA Chairman Steve Baum and
President Matt Gruhn has asked the President to support the recent decision by
the US Environment Protection Agency to waive the 2014 Renewable Fuel Standard
(RFS). Many have expressed great concern
that the market cannot accommodate higher levels of ethanol. "We remain concerned that the new RFS would
require more biofuel than consumers demand and perhaps more importantly more
ethanol than current boats are designed and warranted to handle,” said Baum and
Gruhn.

The
problem is compounded by millions of boats being used by American families for
fun and fishing that use a technology that is not compatible with the current
standard. Forcing even more biofuels
into the marketplace will damage engines and outboard motors placing families
in danger on the open waters. "Boats are
generally not used frequently enough to allow ethanol blend gasoline to move through
the fuel system. As a result, the
ethanol breaks down into water and corrodes the fuel lines and engine
parts. Boats cease to operate, repair
costs are very high, and families are place in harm’s way waiting for a tow to
a safe port,” Baum and Gruhn told the President.